As well as raga is the fundamental element in the music from India, tala is also the essential element in tempo and rhythm. Beyond signifying rhythm in its most wide sense, denoted tala in also an organized rhythmical cycle, composed from various matras, or rhythmical units. Each tala, with its number fixed by beats and particular accents, permits the development of indefinite variations, without losing the original rhythmical values. Any of these talas, beside to serve as accompany to the vocal or instrumental music, can be interpreted as solos in the hands of a percussion expert.